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Why long-term support matters for people sleeping rough
Our partnership with The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields, helps fund vital, trauma-informed services for people experiencing rough sleeping.
Why long-term support matters for people sleeping rough
by The Connection
A day in the life behind the Red Door
Every morning, we welcome people to The Connection, offering breakfast and lunch, showers and laundry facilities, and support with important appointments. Alongside these essentials, we provide access to physical and mental healthcare, substance use support and other specialist services through our partnerships.
Our staff work closely with statutory partners and specialist services to help people access healthcare, accommodation, benefits, criminal justice support and employment. These partnerships allow us to meet people where they are, building trust with those who are experiencing long-term rough sleeping and face significant barriers to accessing support. By reaching people who might otherwise be overlooked, we can reduce their risk of harm and help prevent them from falling through the cracks.
Safe spaces and creative approaches
Creating spaces where people feel safe and listened to is an important part of our approach. We host a weekly women-only space, providing a safe and supportive environment where women can access tailored support and connect with others who understand the challenges of rough sleeping. We also run music, art and recovery-focused activities that help people build skills, confidence and resilience.
A wider response and partnership working
Supporting people out of homelessness also requires a wider societal response. No single organisation can tackle rough sleeping alone. For this reason, we welcome the Government's renewed focus on rough sleeping, which has also highlighted the importance of bringing together local authorities, charities, businesses and other organisations. That is something we know well from our own work.
The Vagrancy Act was an archaic law that sought to punish vulnerable people simply for not having a home. Its repeal on 29 June 2026 sends an important message that rough sleeping is not a crime, and that people sleeping on the streets are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. At the same time, we hope new legislation will give police the tools they need to tackle those who seek to abuse and exploit people sleeping rough. Protecting vulnerable people from harm is essential to creating safer streets and stronger communities for everyone.
Responding to immediate challenges on the ground
Alongside our longer-term work, we also respond quickly to the immediate risks people sleeping rough face.
The extreme heat this summer has been a particular concern, as heatwaves can be fatal for people sleeping rough. This can trigger Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), an emergency response activated by local councils and charities to provide temporary accommodation for people sleeping rough during dangerous weather
Our Outreach teams have supported vulnerable people across Westminster with water, suncream, welfare checks and access to safe spaces away from the heat.
We have also extended our day centre opening hours and provided emergency accommodation to help keep people safe overnight.
So far this summer, we've:
- Extended our opening hours on 23 Hot SWEP days since May
- Recorded 2,591 attendances on Hot SWEP days
- Supported 429 individuals at our day centre during SWEP
- Offered accommodation to 48 individuals across 29 SWEP emergency accommodation nights
These figures show the scale of our response, but behind every number is a person who needed somewhere safe to go and support at a difficult time.
As the seasons change, we will turn our attention to winter planning and the additional risks that colder weather brings. Preparing for extreme weather throughout the year is an essential part of ensuring people can access help when they need it most.
Why long-term rough sleeping needs long-term support
Looking further ahead, our priority is to ensure our services continue to evolve alongside the changing needs of people sleeping rough. While the latest Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) data indicates a slight reduction in overall rough sleeping, long-term rough sleeping continues to rise, highlighting the need for sustained, specialist support.
For people who have become entrenched in rough sleeping, moving away from the streets can take time. Building trust, addressing health and wellbeing needs, navigating accommodation and benefits systems, and rebuilding confidence are all part of the journey.
That is why the ambition to end long-term rough sleeping must be matched by long-term investment and support. A safe place to sleep is a crucial first step, but helping someone build a meaningful and fulfilling future often requires much more. Our role is to work alongside people as they recover from life on the streets and take those next steps.
Supporting people experiencing rough sleeping in London
There are lots of ways to get involved in our work and support people sleeping rough in London. You can donate, volunteer, become a Friend of The Connection, support us through your business or take part in fundraising.
Every contribution helps us continue supporting people to recover from homelessness and find their way off the streets.
About the series
Operations in Action is a series of conversations with our members, partners and stakeholders, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the people, partnerships and day-to-day operations that help keep the Heart of London safe, clean, welcoming and thriving.
